The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-02-17
STILL ANoTER VETO.
President Cleveland Disapproves Of
the Bill Giving Aid to the Texas
Sufferers.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16-The following
veto message was received to-day by the
speaker of the House from the President to
the House of Representatives:
l return without my approval the House
bill number 10,203, entitled
'An act to enable the Commissioner Of Agri-
culture 10 make special distribution Of
seeds IN the drOuth stricken counties of Ter
as, and making appropriation therefor"
1t is represented that long continued
and extended drouth has existed In certain
portions of Texas resulting in a failure OF
crops and consequent distress and destitu-
tion. Though there has been some differ
enee in statements concerning the extent of
the needs in the localities thus affected there
seems to be no doubt that there has existed a
condition calling for relief, and am willing
to believe that, Notwithstanding there has
been already furnished donation of seed,
grain given TO farmers in this region to ena-
BILE them TO put In new crops would serve to
avert continuance or return Of the unfor-
tunate blight. And yet | feel obliged TO
withhold my approval of the plan as pro-
posed by this bill to indulge a benevolent
and charitable sentiment through appropria-
tion of public funds for that purpose. l can
ind no warrant for such an appropriation. In
the constitution, and | do not believe that
the power and duty Of the general govern
ment ought to be extended to the relief
of individual suffering, which is in no man
ner property used to the public
disregard the limited mission of this power
and duty should, think be steadfastly re-
sisted to the end that the lesson should be
constantly enforced, that though people sup
port the government, the government should
not support the people. The friendliness
and charity Of our countrymen can always
be relied upon to relieve their fellow citizens
in misfortune. This has been repeatedly
and quite lately demonstrated. Federal aid
in such cases encourages the expectation Of
paternal care on the part OF the government,
and it weakens the sturdiness of our nation
al character while 1t prevents the indul-
gence among our people Of that kindly senti-
ment and conduct which strengthen the
bonds of common brotherhood. 1t is with
in my personal knowledge that individual
aid has to some extent already been extend
ed to the sufferers mentioned in this bill
The failure Of the proposed appropriation Of
$4,000 additional 70 meet their re-
result in continued distress if the
the emergency Is fully made known TO the
people of the country. 1t Is here suggested
that the commissioner of agriculture is an
nually directed to expend large sum of
money for the purchase, propagation and
distribution of seeds and other things of
this description, two-thirds of which are
upon the request of the Senators, Representa-
tlYes and delegates to Congress, supplied to
them for distribution among their consti-
tuents The appropriation of the current
year for this purpose is 100000, and it will
| probably be no less in the appropriation for
| the ensuing year. | understand that a large
| quantity of grain Is furnished for such dis
| tribution and it is supposed that this free APP
| p0rtionment among their nelghb0rs Is q
| privilege which may be waved by our SEN
| ators and Representatives. If sufficient of
| them should request the Commissioner of
| Agriculture to send their shares Of the grain
| thus allowed them TO the suffering farmers
| of Texas, they might be enabled to SOW their
| crops. The constituents for whom, In theory
| this grain is intended could well bear the
temporary deprivation. and the donors would
| experience the satisfaction attending deed:
of charity.
| [Signedl GROVER CLEVELAND.